[Jsinghzzzz]

Originally Posted by Michael9218

I've also been busy working on a diffuser idea. I got some good ideas walking around the Global Time Attack paddock at Road Atlanta a few months ago and decided to give it a go at making a large (and hopefully effective) diffuser panel.

I started by picking up a sheet of MDF and hardboard from Home Depot. I shaped this to make my mold. A bit of woodworking here helps. I covered the mold with a couple coats of epoxy to give it a hard finish that I could wax to release the carbon fiber.

[IMG]https://photos.smugmug.com/BMW-Z4-Tr...IMG_1472-M.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://photos.smugmug.com/BMW-Z4-Tr...IMG_1473-M.jpg[/IMG]

I then laid up 2 sheets of 3k twill, then some 1/8" foam and topped it with some 3k plain weave. Using my cool vacuum bagging kit, I sucked the air out and let it sit for 24 hours at 25 inches mercury.

[IMG]https://photos.smugmug.com/BMW-Z4-Tr...IMG_1490-M.jpg[/IMG]

I have to say, I was blown away with how well this turned out. It's such a big piece that I expected I would screw it up somehow, but it looks awesome! The panel is 54" x 36" and weighs 5 lbs and is very rigid. The all important underside is as smooth as glass. The angle slowly slopes to 10 degrees. Now I just have to figure out the mounting for this thing!...and make a middle panel to complete the flat underside.

[IMG]https://photos.smugmug.com/BMW-Z4-Tr...IMG_1492-M.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://photos.smugmug.com/BMW-Z4-Tr...IMG_1493-M.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://photos.smugmug.com/BMW-Z4-Tr...IMG_1494-M.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]https://photos.smugmug.com/BMW-Z4-Tr...IMG_1495-M.jpg[/IMG]

Looks great! I noticed you didn't create the little "flaps" or "horseshoes" around the perimeter of for your vacuum bag, which is a technique that came up a lot in the various CF tutorials I've been watching. Any reason that's not necessary?